Christopher Sheels

Christopher Sheels (c. 1774) was a " dowry " slave on George Washington's Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia. He belonged to the heir of Martha Washington's first husband Daniel Parke Custis. As a widow, Martha had her life over 100 Custis slaves (including Sheels ) available, hence the nickname " dowry ".

In the household of the President

He was next to Oney Judge, Austin, Giles, Paris, Moll and William Lee one of the seven slaves who were brought to New York City in 1789 to work in the first presidential household. As the budget moved to the new capital Philadelphia, came three slaves added: Hercules, Richmond and " Postilion " Joe Richardson ( Joe's wife took after being released by George Washington named Richardson, while Joe himself, as a " dowry " slave, was released not by Martha Washington). He took over his uncle William Lee the place as the body servant of the President.

Pennsylvania had begun in 1780 with the abolition of slavery and banned there non-resident holding of slaves within the state for more than six months. In addition, the Gradual Abolition Act slaves was a legal power to liberate themselves. Washington argued ( privately ) that his presence in Pennsylvania is based exclusively on the fact that Philadelphia was the temporary headquarters of the state and that the state laws themselves would not be governed by it. In a letter to his lawyer, Edmund Randolph, he saw it as expedient to let the slaves who worked in the presidential household rotate in and out of the state to prevent this six-month scheme could grab. He was careful to never be even six months at a time in Pennsylvania, and argued to continue to be a resident of Virginia. This rotation was a violation of the laws of Pennsylvania. This action of the President but had no legal consequences.

Mount Vernon

From January 1792 Sheels was employed as a servant in Mount Vernon and served the family at meals. Washington returned to his second term in March 1797 Mount Vernon back.

In September 1799 Washington discovered a note that pointed out an escape plan from Sheels and his fiancée. ( The note shows that Sheels could write. ) Washington thwarted the plans of escape. Three months later Sheels was at George Washington's bed when he died on 14 December 1799. To him also Washington's last words should have been directed: "It is good."

As a " dowry " Slave Sheels not one of the 124 slaves who were set free according to George Washington's last will. After Martha Washington's death in 1802 he was one of 153 " dower " slaves they inherited their four grandchildren.